The Green Bay Packers said goodbye to several veteran players during the 2026 offseason. While Matt LaFleur's team blew another lead to open the season in Minnesota, other former Packers made their season debuts for other teams during Week 1.
How did Malik Willis do his Dolphins debut? Was Dontayvion Wicks impressive for the Eagles? After watching the meltdown for the Packers offensive line, how did Rasheed Walker and Elgton Jenkins look for their new teams?
Reviewing how the former Packers played in Week 1 of 2026:
QB Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins
Willis and Jeff Hafley had a tough 2026 season opener, losing 27-13 in Las Vegas. Willis completed 15 of 27 passes for 220 yards, and he rushed for a touchdown, but he also threw a pick, had a fumble and took five sacks as the Dolphins
scored only three times. Willis was under pressure on roughly 45 percent of his dropbacks, per PFF. Miami fell behind 7-0 early and trailed for most of the game.
WR Dontayvion Wicks, Philadelphia Eagles
Wicks was a standout for Philadelphia, catching two passes for 74 yards and a touchdown in his Eagles debut. Wicks had a 64-yard catch, and he also got open for Jalen Hurts on a 9-yard touchdown pass late in the first half. Wicks did take a big hit from former Packer Rasul Douglas midway through the first quarter.
Dontayvion Wicks' first TD as an Eagle 🦅
— NFL (@NFL) September 13, 2026
WASvsPHI on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/O4iz070w2o
LB Quay Walker, Las Vegas Raiders
Walker's Raiders held Malik Willis and the Dolphins to only 13 points in Week 1. A dominant pass rush was the main reason, and Walker added a pressure on five blitzes. He also finished with a 73.2 run defense grade, the second highest on the Raiders' defense, per PFF. Miami finished with only 74 total rushing yards and 259 total yards. Walker's six tackles tied for the team high.
OT Rasheed Walker, Carolina Panthers
While the Packers offensive line crumbled in Minnesota, Walker enjoyed a fantastic debut in Carolina. He allowed only one hurry over 46 pass-blocking snaps and earned a run blocking grade of 81.6 and a pass-blocking grade of 88.6 (near elite) from PFF. Entering Week 2, Walker is PFF's No. 4 highest graded offensive tackle. Jordan Morgan, who replaced him at left tackle in Green Bay, ranks 59th.
OL Elgton Jenkins, Cleveland Browns
The Browns got blown out in Week 1, but Jenkins was effective as a pass-blocker over 33 pass-blocking snaps at center. He didn't allow a single pressure and finished with a 84.6 pass-blocking grade, the second-best among centers during Week 1, per PFF. The veteran has always been an excellent pass protector, but his run blocking grade was poor (58.7) in his Browns debut.
DE Rashan Gary, Dallas Cowboys
Gary made only one tackle and didn't have a sack in his Cowboys debut, but he was credited with two quarterback hits on Jaxson Dart during "Sunday Night Football." His PFF grade over 41 snaps was only 51.1.
DE Kingsley Enagbare, New York Jets
Playing 33 snaps on the edge for the Jets, Enagbare created five pressures, including a quarterback hit, as New York dominated Cam Ward and the Titans. Enagbare did miss two tackles, hurting his overall grade. A note for the Packers ahead of Week 2: Enagbare was one of five different players to produce at least three pressures for the Jets in Week 1.
WR Romeo Doubs, New England Patriots
Doubs lived through a nightmare debut with the Patriots in the NFL's season-opening game last Wednesday night, catching zero of three targets, including a drop. Drake Maye also threw an interception while targeting Doubs. Zero yards on 32 routes run? Ouch. Doubs will need be a lot better for New England with A.J. Brown now on injured reserve.
#Patriots WR Romeo Doubs on whether confidence is an issue for him at the moment:
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) September 10, 2026
“No. Like I said, I just wasn’t locked in enough on the football. The results speak for themselves. I’ll be better moving forward.”
Doubs also noted that he is still building his connection with… https://t.co/INQF7JN7Dd pic.twitter.com/eD0g1o8wea
DL Colby Wooden, New Orleans Saints
Wooden was traded to the Colts in exchange for Zaire Franklin, but he was released at final cutdowns and claimed off waivers by the Saints. He was up for Week 1, playing 18 snaps against the Lions. PFF credited him with two tackles, including one run stop.
S Zayne Anderson, Miami Dolphins
Don't forget about Zayne! The former Packers special teamer was actually impressive over 53 snaps as a starting safety for Jeff Hafley's defense in Week 1. He received grades above 70.0 in both coverage and run defense from PFF. Anderson was so important defensively that he didn't see a snap on special teams for Miami in Week 1.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: How did former Packers do during Week 1 of 2026 season?
